Frame construction for buildings



H. HASENBURGER ET AL 0,105

FRAME CONSTRUCTION FOR BUILDINGS Oct. 21,1941.

Filed April 11, 1940 S SheetS-Sheet 1 Oct. 21, 1941. H. HASENBURGER ET AL FRAME CONSTRUCTION FOR BUILDINGS :5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 11, 1940 pnnnnnnnnne Oct. 21, 1941.

v H. HASENBURGER ETYAL 2,260,105

FRAME CONSTRUCTI-ON FOR BUILDINGS a Filed April 11, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 r .2 7

flameyil z@@r I? 'IIIIIIIIII" Patented Oct. 21, 1941 UNlTED STATES PATENT ,EQFFICE 2,260,165 I Q j j FRAME CONSTRUCTION FOR BUILDINGS Henry Hasenburger, Newark, N, J., and Harvey Wiley Corbett, New York, Prebilt Housing Corporation, New York, N.

a corporation of Ohio I I Application April 11, 1940, Serial No. 329,144,

16 Claims.

This invention relates to building construction,

having particular reference to improved means for facilitating the assembly and mechanical union of the frame-forming members of buildings adapted for residential and other purposes.

In the construction of frame buildings of conessarily slow and costly to perform and, most,

often, when the frame structure is subsequently demolished, it is in such condition that the members thereof cannotagain be employed in other buildings.

An object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide improved means for quickly and securely joining in rigid assembled relation the spaced vertical studs, floor joists, roof rafters and other similar frame members of a building. This object is attained with the employment of novel mechanical fastening means which enable such connections to be quickly and inexpensively accomplished without in any way marring or destroying the frame-forming members, so that, if desired, the said members may be dismantled without injury and in. a completely intact condition well adapted for further service.

It is another object of the invention to provide a frame structure for buildings composed of prefabricated parts having standardized features of design by which such parts may be quickly assembled, erected and relatively secured to form a building frame.

For a further understanding of the invention, reference is to be had to the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a vertical sectional view taken through the lower or foundation supported portion of a frame building formed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the second floor portion of the building frame;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view, partly in vertical section, disclosing the improved means forming the present invention when employed for joining a pair of longitudinally aligned floor joists and securing to the meeting portions of such joists the lower portion of a vertical partition stud;

Fig. 4 is a similar view disclosing the means employed for uniting the upper portion, of a par- 3 tition stud to a pair of floor joists;

N. Y., assignors to Y.,

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view disclosing the improved means forming the present invention, employed in uniting roof rafters with associated joists and studding;

Fig. 6- is a vertical sectional view taken on the plane indicated by the line VIVI of Fig. 1;

T Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view on the plane disclosed by the line VII-VII of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a detail vertical sectional view taken through one of the sill-carried anchor clips;

Fig. 9 is -a horizontal sectional viewonthe line IX-IX of Fig. 4; j

Fig. .10 is asimilar view on the line X-X of Fig 1;. i

Fig. .11 is a detail vertical sectional view disclosing thev means employed for detachably securing wall-forming siding members to the vertical studs of the building frame;

Fig. 12 is a detail vertical sectional view on the line XII-XII of Fig. 7, and disclosing the means for holding the sill bars on the building foundation.

-Referring more particularly tothe drawings, the numeral I designates the foundation of a building uponwhich the framework, having the features of the present invention, is erected. In the specific form of the invention set forth, this foundation comprises. a formemolded concrete base, although, as the nature of the invention is more'fully understood, it will be realized that thisfoundation; may be, of any other suitable type, such as concrete block, stone, wood or metal pier elements. ,As shown, however, the foundation terminates above the ground line in a flat horizontal surface on which may be placed a thin strip of sheet'metal 2 having downturned angularly disposed flanged edges 3, whichproject beyond the vertical side surfaces of the foun- 'dation. The metal strip or strips 2 constitute what is known as a termite'cap, the same being employed to protect the wooden members of the superposed building from attack by termites.

Arising from the foundation l at longitudinally spaced intervals are securing bolts 4, the

threaded ends of which project above the horizontal upper surface 5 of the foundation I, the said bolts having their shank and head portions suitably embedded in the foundation at the time the latter is produced. .The upper threaded ends of the bolts 4 project through enlarged openings 6 formed vertically in wooden sill bars .1, the latter resting on the top of the foundation l. The threaded ends of the bolts 4 pass through washer plates 8 and are equipped with binding nuts 9, the latter, when tightened, frictionally press on the plates 8 and hold the sill bars in secure'order on the foundation. It will be understood that the foundation may possess any desired configuration or outline, depending upon the structural characteristics of the building to be erected thereon, and that the sill bars are placed on said foundation and secured thereto as described, with said bars arranged longitudinally in accordance with the configuration of the foundation.

Resting on the upper surfaces of the sill bars are the ends of a plurality of prefabricated first floor joists, the latter being indicated by the numeral I. These joists comprise prefabricated members and are each composed to consist of a pair of transversely spaced longitudinally extending wooden rails I2, which rails are joined together at longitudinal intervals by spacer blocks I3. As shown in Figs. 1 and 7, the blocks I3 at the ends of the joists are set inwardly with respect to the corresponding ends of the rails I 2, in order to provide tenon sockets I4 for the frame studding in a manner to be presently described.

Resting on and extending parallel with the sill bar I are first floor stringer girts I5, which are preferably of Wood, and these girts have their inner faces vertically recessed to form sockets I 4a which are complemental to the sockets |4 formed by the floor joists. Positioned on the upper edges of the rails I2 and the girts |5 are'sheet metal chair plates 'I S which are provided with upturned marginal lips I1 and downturned lips I8. Positioned on the chair plates I6 are the lower, ends of the vertical stud members I9 of the building frame. prefabricated unit consisting of a pair of transversely spaced parallel rails which at longitudinal intervals are united with and separated by spacer blocks 2|. The lower end of each stud member has formed therewith between its rails tenon extensions 22. That portion of each extension 22 which projects below the lower end of its associated stud member is adapted to be received within the sockets I4 and M41 as more particularly disclosed in Figs. 1 and 7.

In order to quickly and securely unite the adjoining and interfitting portions of the joists I, the girts I5 and the stud members I9 with each other and with the foundation I, the sill bars .1 are formed in registration with the joists II F with vertical slots 23. Positioned in each of these slots is a mechanical anchoring clip 24. Each of these clips is formed from a blank of strip steel intermediately bent upon itself to produce a U- shaped configuration of such width as to be received within the slots 23. To hold the clips in their operative positions, a pin projects through the lower folded portion of each clip With the ends of the pin projecting beyond the end walls of the associated slot 23 so that when in applied positions, the clips cannot be moved upwardly through the slots. Qne of the side walls of each of the clips 24 terminates in a right angularly bent flange 26, which engages with the upper surface of the associated sill bar 'I, while the other side wall of each clip is extended well above the upper surface of said sill bar and terminates in a downwardly bent hook-shaped flange 27. The clips 24 are arranged in pairs and located on each side of the joists II, as shown in Fig. 6.

Engaging with'the hook-shaped flanges 21 of the clips 24 are the corresponding hook-shaped lower ends of a plurality of tension straps 28. These straps are also preferably of strip steel con- Each of these stud members comprises a struction and possess double V bends as indicated at 29 and 33, the straps being disposed, as shown in Fig. 6, at each side of the joists II and the studs I 9. The apex of the bend 29 of each of the straps is provided with an opening through which passes the threaded shank of a headed bolt 3|. Each of the bolts 3| is carried horizontally by the girt I5 and has its threaded end equipped with a strap tensioning nut 32. The bends of the straps 28 are disposed for engagement with vertically spaced pins 33 projecting from the opposite sides of the joists II. The upper end of each strap is formed to provide a hook-shaped portion 34, which engages with a pin projecting rigidly and transversely from the lower end of each of the studs I 9 at its sides.

In the assembly of these frame-forming members, the anchor clips 24 are positioned in the slots 23 before the sill bars 1 are placed on the upper surface 5 of the foundation I, thus permitting the securing pins 25 to pass through the folded lower portions of said clips to prevent upward withdrawal thereof. The sill bars are then secured, with the clips positioned therein, to the upper'surfaces of the foundation I by means of the anchor bolts 4. The ends of the floor joists II are'then placed on the sill bars,'as shown in Fig. 1, with the girt stringers I5 in contact therewith. The chair plates I6 may then be positioned on the upper edges of the floor joists and the girt stringers for the reception of the lower ends of the stud members I9, with the tenon extensions 22 of said stud members positionedin the sockets I4 and Ma. The tension straps 28 are then positionedso that their V bends 29 and 39 will be engaged with the pins 33 projecting from the sides of the floor joists and with the lower ends of each of the clips in engagement with the hookshaped flanges 2'! of the complemental clips 24 and the hook-shaped portions 34 of said straps in engagement with the stud pins 35. The bolts 3| are then passed through the girts I5 and through the bolt openings formed in the straps 23. It will be seen that by tightening the nuts 32, the effective length of the straps 28 will be shortened in order to simultaneously bind together the floor joists I I, the girts l5 and the stud members I9 as well as holding such frame members in secure engagement with the foundation I. This is attained without any nailing of the frame members or in any way marring or destroying their structural identity so that in the event the frame structure is subsequently disunited, the frame parts will remain intact for further use.

The siding members for the building have been indicated by the numeral 35. Preferably, these siding members are of the type disclosed in our prior copending application,Serial No. 299,890, filed October 17, 1939.

These members are also secured to the vertical studding of the frame in a quick and effective manner without the use of nails. Thus, each siding member comprises an outer panel 3'! having its rear face provided with a cleat 38 and with a body of thermal insulation 39, the panels .31 of adjoiningsiding members being disposed in overlapping and water-shedding relationship. The inner surfaces of the cleats 38 are equipped with hook-shaped mounting tongues 40 which,

as shown in Fig. 11, are adapted to be slidably insertedin vertical slots 4| formed in metallic facing plates 42, one of these plates being coextensive with the outer edge portions of each of the stud members I9. By inserting the tongues 49 into the slots 4|, and then moving the associated siding member'downwardly so that the tongues 40' engage with the back surfaces of the plates 42, a quick and secure union between the siding members and the stud members is effected, the weight of the siding members imposed on each other holding the individual members of the siding against separation. This construction likewise permits the siding to be quickly detached from association with the studs.

To hold the siding securing plates 42in connection with the stud members IS, a structure such as that illustrated in Fig. maybe used. Thus, the longitudinal edges of each of the plates '42 may be formed with outturned apertured ears 43 through which pass the hook shaped ends 44 of a plurality of links 45. These links are slotted as at 46 for the reception of the ends of pins 41 which pass transversely through the stud members l9 and project beyond the sides thereof. Wedge keys 48 are then inserted in the hookshaped ends of the links 45 for engagement with the ears 43 of the plate 42. By driving the keys 48 downwardly, the facing plate 42 is drawn into and maintained in firm engagement with the outer vertical portions of the stud members.

In the event the building is of a multi-storied type, corresponding features of construction are used in uniting the upper ends of the first floor stud members I9 with second floor joints and second floor girts. Such a construction has been illustrated in Fig. 2. In this figure, the second floor joists Ila, which are similar in construc tion with the first floor joists H, are positioned on the upper ends of the first floor studs IS. The

ends of the joists I la engage with a second floor girt lia, the lower ends of the second floor studs lSa resting on the upper surfaces of the joists I la and the girts [5a precisely in the same manner as do the lower ends of the studs [9 rest on the lower floor joists II and the girts l5. The upper ends of the studs I!) are formed with tenons 22a. which enter the sockets formed for the reception thereof by the joists I la and the girt l5a. A tension strap 28a is employed to unite these parts in assembled relation in the same manner as the straps 28 are used but with the exception that the straps 28a havetheir lower ends engaged with pins 49, projecting from the sides of the stud members I9 insteadof being fastened to sill-carried anchor clips.

Likewise, similar features of construction are used in the mounting of the roof-forming members, as disclosed in Fig. 5. In this figure, the upper ends of the studs Isa are provided with tenon extensions l9b, which are received within sockets 14b formed in the ends of the roof joists lib and the roof girt I51). The roof rafters 50, which correspond in construction to that employed in the fabrication of the studs and joists, are formed at their lower or outer end portions with depending tenon blocks 5| which engage with the spacer blocks of the joists l lb, the lower edges of the rafters 50 resting on the inclined upper surfaces of the girts 15b. Tension straps 2% have their hook-shaped ends engaged with pins 52, which project from the rafters 59 and the studs l9a. The straps 28b are alsoformed with the angularly related intermediate portions which engage with one or more pins carried by the joists Hb. Bolts 3| pass through the girts l 51) and the tension straps 28?) so that when the nuts 32 of said bolts are tightened, the straps 282) will exert forces compressively uniting the upper ends of the studs M0,, the joists III), the girts 15b and the rafters 50.

The rafters 50 are provided at intervals along their upper edges with sheet'metal cross members 53 with which are detachably engaged the hook-shaped fasteners 54 of the roof siding 55. These parts are all readily detachable, so that assembly or disassembly operations may be quickly carried out. The outer or lower ends of the rafters 50 carry detachable facia bars 56 for closing the roof space formed between the upper edgesof the side wall siding and the roof proper.

In Figs. 3 and 4, there has been illustrated apparatus for uniting the adjoining ends of joist members and securing therewith vertical partition studs. In Fig. 3, there has been illustrated a pair of first floor joists II, the abutting ends thereof meeting along the line 51. The meeting ends of these joists rest on a foundation-supported sill Ia, which sill is slotted, as is the sill I, to receive the anchor clips 24. The hookshaped flanges 21 of these clips are engaged with hook-shaped lower ends of a tensioning strap 280, which strap, in this instance, is bent upon itself to provide spaced legs, each of the legs having the reversely bent portions, which correspond in purpose and function to the bends 29 and 30, said reversely bent portions being engaged with pins 58, stationarily projecting from the adjoining ends of thejoists ll, while the upper ends of the straps 28c pass around pins 59 carried by the lower ends of vertical partitionstuds 6!). The spaced legs of the straps 280 are united by the bolt and nut construction 3| and 32 which, when tightened, holds the adjoining ends of the joists ll together and in secured positions on the sill 1a as well as holding the lower portions of the .partition studs 60 in secured relation with the joists. The studs 60 are provided at their lower ends with tenon extensions 6| which are received within sockets formed between the adjoinin ends of the joists ll.

Substantially the same features of construction are used in uniting the upper ends of the partition studs 60 with the meeting ends of a pair of second floor joists, as shown in Fig. 4. In this latter figure, the meeting ends of a pair of second floor joists Ha abut along the lineGZ, the upper ends ofthe studs 60 being provided with tenon extensions which are received within sockets formed between the meeting ends of .the joists I i a. A tension strap'28d is formed to embrace pins 63 projecting from the sides of the studs 50 and the joist Ila. The strap 28d is fastened in its holding positions by thebolt and nut construction 3i and 32.

The sill bars 1 and la may be rabbeted along their inner longitudinal edges to receive panels 64 composed of thermal insulation. This construction is used when a building is erected over an unexcavated site.

In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention provides aframe structure for prefabricated buildings wherein the several members of the frame structure may be quickly assembled and united in their proper relative order without involving cutting, nailing, or other forms of relatively skilled work on the site of building erection. The joists, studs and rafters are of strong but relatively light weight construction, each involving spaced side rails firmly united by spacer blocks, formed at their ends to produce sockets for the reception of the tenon extensions provided on the vertical stud members. An important feature of the present invention is the utilization of the angularly bent tension straps which, when tightened by the bolt and nut constructtion' 3i and 32, serve to bind and securely holdin assembled order a plurality of the frame-forming members. The; construction provides for a rapidly erected and economical type of building which advantageously may be employed in all types of frame buildings.

Another desired advantageof thestructure resides in the fact that in the event a building so constructed is subsequently dismantled, every part of the construction is recoverable in an intact and unmarred'ccndition, possessing. maximum salvage value. While the frame members have been described as being composed principally of wood, nevertheless, it will be understood that other suitable building materials may be readily substituted therefor. Likewise, other details of construction are subject to certain variation and modification within the scope of the invention and the claims hereunto appended.

What is claimed is:

1. Framework for building construction comprising horizontally disposed joist members, perpendicular stud members abutting the joist memhere at their ends, interfitting tenon and socket means formed with the adjoining portions of said members, spaced pins projecting laterally from the side surfaces of said members, flexible metallic straps engaging with said pins, and means connected with said straps between said pins for placing said straps under tension when engaged with said pins to maintain'said members against relative separation.

2. Framework for building construction comprising horizontally disposed joist members, perpendicular stud members abutting the ends of said joist members, girts positioned at the ends of said joist members, spaced pins projecting laterally from the side surfaces of said members, flexible metallic straps engaging said pins, and

means carried by said girts and engaging said straps between said pins for placingsaid straps under tension to maintain said members and girts in secured relationship.

3. In building construction, a joist member, a perpendicular stud member adjoining one end of said joist member, fastening projections extending laterally from the sides of said joist and stud members, flexible tension straps detachably engaged with said fastening projections at the sides of said members, and means for flexing said straps to place the same under tension to bind said members in fixed relative positions.

4. In frame building construction, a horizontal joist member, a vertical stud member, a tenon extension provided on said stud member at one end thereof, said extension being receivable in a socket formed in one end of said joist member, a flexible metallic strap, spaced fastening ele ments projecting laterally from said joist and stud members for engagement with said strap, and means engaging said strap between the elements on said joist to place said strap under tension to cause the same to exert binding forces on said projections to hold said joist and stud members against relative separation.

5. Frame building construction comprising a base, anchor devices carried by said base, joist members positioned on said base, stud members arising from said joist members, fastening projections extending laterally from the sides of said joist and stud members, tension straps detachably engaged with said anchor devices and fastening projections, and means for placing said straps under tension, whereby to cause the straps to exert forces on said joist and stud members to maintain the same in secured engagement with each other and with said base.

6. Frame building construction comprising a base, anchor devices carried by said base, horizontal joist members positioned on said base, stud members arising'vertically from the ends of said joist members, girts positioned on said base and engaged with the ends of said joist members, spaced stationary elements protruding laterally from the sides of said joist and stud members, tension straps detachably engaged with said anchor devices and projecting elements, and threaded means carried by said girts and engaging with said straps for placing the latter under tension, whereby to cause said straps to exert forces on said joist and stud members and said girt to maintain the same in secured engagement with each other and with said base.

'7. In building construction, a base, a sill member secured to said base, said sill member having a slot formed therein, a frame anchoring device removably disposed in said slot, a horizontal joist member positioned on the sill member, a girt positioned on said sill member in engagement with one end of said joist member, a stud arising vertically from the adjoining portions of said joist member and girt, spaced laterally offset projections protruding from the side surfaces of said joist member and stud, a tension strap engaged with said anchoring device and said projections, and means carried by said girt for placing said strap under tension to connect said joist member, girt and stud with said sill member and with each other.

8. In building construction, a base, a sill member detachably connected with said base, said sill member being provided with a vertically disposed slot, a substantially U-shaped frame anchoring clip positioned in said slot, a pin passing between the spaced legs of said clip adjacent the closed end thereof and of such length as to project beyond the end of said slot to detachably secure said clip in said slot, and a hook-shaped flange formed at the upper edge of at least one of the legs of said clip.

9. In building construction, a vertical stud member, a horizontal joist member having one end thereof positioned on the upper end of said stud member, a girt positioned on the upper end of said stud member in engagement with an adjoining end of said joist member, a roof rafter engaged with the upper edge of said girt, spaced stationary pins projecting laterally from the contiguous side surfaces of said stud and joist members and said rafter, a tension strap detachably engaged with said pins, and threaded means carried by said girt and engaged with an intermediate portion of said strap to place the latterunder tension, whereby to secure said stud member, joist member, girt and roof rafter in assembled order.

10. In building construction, a sill member, a pair of horizontally aligned joist members having their meeting end portions seated upon said sill member, a vertical stud member having the lower end thereof positioned upon the meeting ends of said joist members, spaced stationary pins projecting laterally from contiguous side surfaces of said joist and stud members, a metallic strap engaged with said pins, said strap having the ends thereof detachably connected with said sill member, and threaded means passing through intermediate portions of said strap for placing the same under tension and drawing the same into firm engagement with said pins to unite the joist and stud members with each other and with said sill member.

11. In a building frame, a horizontally extending joist, a girt extending transversely at one means and engaging said strap between the pins on said joist, adjustment of said securing means serving to place said strap under tension to draw said joist toward said girt and said studs toward one another.

12. In a building frame, a horizontally extending joist, a girt extending transversely at one end of said joist, stud means abutting said joist and girt at the point of contact thereof, interfitting means on said studs, joist and girt for positioning each with relation to the others, spaced pin members projecting laterally from said joist and stud means, a flexible securing strap connected at its ends with the pins on said studs and engaging the pins on said joist, and adjustable securing means extending through said girt means and engaging said strap between the pins on said joist, adjustment of said securing means serving to place said strap under tension to draw said joist toward said girt and said studs toward one another.

13. In a building frame, a horizontally extending joist, complemental frame members above and below said joist, a pair of pins projecting from said joist in spaced order, a flexible member anchored at its ends to the frame members above and below said joist and engaging the pins projecting from said joist, and means engaging said flexible member between the pins on said joist and operating to force the same between said pins to place said flexible member under tension and draw said complemental frame members in firm engagement with said joist.

14. In a building frame, a joist member formed from a pair of rails and longitudinally spaced blocks, a girt member disposed at one end of said joist, said girt having a recess in registration with the space between the rails of said joist and cooperating therewith to form a socket, a stud disposed on end on said joist and girt, a tenon carried by said stud and projecting into said socket, and means having an adjustable member extending through said girt for holding said joist, said girt and said stud together, adjustment of said member serving to draw said stud toward said joist and girt and the latter toward each other.

15. In a building frame, a joist having a pair of rail sections and longitudinally spaced separator blocks, a girt disposed at the end of said joist, said girt having a recess disposed in registration with the space between said rails and cooperating therewith to form a socket, a stud abutting said joist and girt at their point of contact, said stud having a pair of rails, means for spacing said stud rails, said means being equal in width to the separator blocks of said joist and projecting from the end of said stud to form a tenon, said tenon being positioned in said socket, and adjustable means for urging said joist toward said girt and said stud toward the former members.

16. In a building frame, a joist having a pair of rail sections and longitudinally spaced separator blocks, a girt disposed at the end of said joist, said girt having a recess disposed in registration with the space between said rails and cooperating therewith to form a socket, a stud abutting said joist and girt at their point of contact, said stud having a pair of rails, means for spacing said stud rails, said means being equal in width to the separator blocks of said joist and projecting from the end of said stud to form a tenon, said tenon being positioned in said socket, and securing means cooperating with said girt, said stud and said joint to prevent relative separation thereof.

. HENRY HASENBURGER.

HARVEY WILEY CORBETT. 

